Keyboard layout

Question

Level 1

1 points

Keyboard layout

I am a first time laptop user and have just gotten my MBP 17. I am visually impaired so use Voice Over and Zoom regularly on my iMac. However, the keyboard of my new laptop is a challenge. What I am looking for a document with a diagram of the keyboard so I can study it under my CCTV (machine that magnifies any document put under its camera). I know how to use the keyboard preferences shortcut key but really would like to be able to see the placement of this keyboard up close. Thanks. Mary

iMac G4, MacBookPro 17 (Intel Core2), Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Nov 20, 2006 5:12 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 21, 2006 1:49 AM in response to Mary Lewis

You can show the Keyboard Viewer (System Preferences > International > Input Menu) although it's not very big at all. However, you can zoom it unlike the physical keyboard.

I'm not sure it's what you're looking for although I hope it helps.

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Answer 2

Mary Lewis Author

Level 1

1 points

Nov 21, 2006 7:26 AM in response to infinite vortex

Thanks, Ned. I don't think that gives me what I want. I would really like to print up a picture of the keys on the keyboard of my new laptop so I can use it as a guide as I learn to use the new computer. It's just easier for me to have a paper copy that I can magnify under my CCTV. It seems like something that should be easy to find but I have done a google search as well as ask on the Apple discussion. I could draw it myself, but I thought one done by Apple would be better than my feeble attempts.

An alternative is to sit in the closet so the keys are illuminated 🙂

There are amazingly few visually impaired people using the Mac. It is really hard to find support -- I would have thought there would be a forum on accessibility issues. I appreciate your response.

I knew that the laptop would be a big challenge, but I am going to do some travelling and would like to have it with me.

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Answer 3

Mary Lewis Author

Level 1

1 points

Nov 21, 2006 7:37 AM in response to Mary Lewis

Ned, I finally figured out what you were suggesting. Yes, that does give me the layout. I will take a screen shot of it and add the numbers, etc by hand. Thanks.

Mary

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Answer 4

Nov 21, 2006 8:49 AM in response to Mary Lewis

An alternative is to sit in the closet so the keys are illuminated

Hey… don't knock it until you try it!! 😉

There are amazingly few visually impaired people using the Mac. It is really hard to find support -- I would have thought there would be a forum on accessibility issues.

In actual fact I think it's quite the opposite. Although, I think you just need to find the right group of people who both use Macs and understand your needs. maybe you might want to mention this in the Discussion Feedback…

http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1076

… as you're right, there's no specific place to discuss this.

Ned, I finally figured out what you were suggesting. Yes, that does give me the layout. I will take a screen shot of it and add the numbers, etc by hand.

Great!! I do hoever miss the old one as it was much bigger and easier to read. Be aware that the keyboard viewer will actually respond as you trype and also will display the changed key layout when you hold down a modifier key, such as the shift key, which might be of additional assistance to you.

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Answer 5

Ethanee

Level 2

350 points

Nov 21, 2006 8:59 AM in response to Mary Lewis

The keyboard viewer gets magnified a bit when it's maximized. Would it help if we take a picture of the actual keyboard, and print that out?

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Answer 6

Mary Lewis Author

Level 1

1 points

Nov 21, 2006 11:38 AM in response to Mary Lewis

I thought about taking a picture of the keyboard, but there is little contrast (my biggest problem with most things Mac is the lack of contrast -- e.g. pages on the website and other print materials that use light light gray prnt on white or dark gray on black, all part of the classic look but really hard for me ). The keyboard viewer is black on white with ability to select a font that is really dark.

Thanks, Ned, for the advice. I will begin looking for some support and discussion about accessibility issues.

Mary

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Answer 7

Mar 28, 2007 5:15 AM in response to Mary Lewis

Hi there -- I'm not sure if you ever found what you are looking for, but this might provide some of what you needed:

http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Hardware/DeveloperNotes/Macintosh_CPUs-G4/12inchPowerBookG4_Sept03/3_Input-Output/chapter_4_sectio n_12.html#//appleref/doc/uid/TP40000849-TP30000877-TPXREF113

Take care!

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